1. GUIDANCE
1.1 Has any guidance been issued on how UK nationals can obtain settled residence status and permission to work from 1 January 2021 and what proof of residence is needed for current residents to maintain their status?
The Danish government has taken several steps regarding UK nationals currently living in Denmark under the rules on free movement for the purpose of ensuring that they can remain in Denmark on similar terms in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement (WA).
UK nationals and family members staying in Denmark as well as cross-border workers commuting to Denmark for work before 31 December 2020 must have applied for a new residence status before 31 December 2021. This also applies to UK nationals with permanent residence in Denmark under EU rules. They can remain in Denmark legally as previously while their applications are being processed. By doing so, UK nationals can retain their rights of residence after the Transition Period ends.
When applying for a new residence status during 2021, the applicant must provide documentation to prove that s/he met the requirements for residence under EU rules before the end of the Transition Period. This documentation includes, among other things, employment contract, copy of EU residence card and bank statements to document sufficient funds.
In early November, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) sent an information letter to all UK citizens residing in Denmark with information on how to apply for the new residence permits.
Further information as well as the wording of this letter can be found (in English).
2. BUSINESS TRAVEL
2.1 Do UK employees need a business visa from 1 January 2021?
Regulation (EU) 2019/592 of 10 April 2019 exempts UK citizens from the requirement for a Schengen visa. It applies from the day the UK is no longer subject to EU law. However, due to Denmark's EU opt-out on criminal justice and home affairs, new EU decisions regarding Schengen would have to be ratified before the rules can take effect in Denmark. It is expected that this decision will be ratified.
Under the regulation, UK nationals can enter and stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
The Schengen exemption applies from 1 January 2021.
2.2 What documents are needed on arrival for business travel from 1 January 2021?
Only a passport (or similar travel documentation) is required. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure and must not have been issued more than ten years ago.
Further, the normal conditions for visa-free entry must be met, including the requirement for sufficient means and documentation for the purpose of the stay, if requested.
2.3 Do UK nationals need additional permission to work for business travel from 1 January 2021 in the event of no deal?
UK nationals can participate in activities such as meetings or training on business travel, but will not otherwise be entitled to work in Denmark without a work permit.
3. EMPLOYMENT AND RESIDENCE
3.1 Do UK nationals need permission to work and stay in Denmark from 1 January 2021?
UK nationals who are not beneficiaries under the WA, see 1 above, must generally have a residence and work permit to be entitled to work in Denmark.
Certain exemptions may apply, such as:
- short stays for engagements such as meetings or training that can be undertaken without a work permit;
- the spouse of a third country national who holds a work permit will be able to work without a work permit of his or her own;
- third country nationals with a permanent residence permit for Denmark are exempt from the requirement for a work permit.
3.2 If permission to work is needed after 1 January 2021, do any quotas apply to the employment of third-country nationals?
No quotas apply.
3.3 If permission to work is needed from 1 January 2021, what categories of permission are commonly granted?
The most common scheme in Denmark is the Pay Limit Scheme under which the applicant must have a job offer with a minimum annual base salary of DKK 436,000 (approximately EUR 58,523.50).
Other relevant schemes include the Positive List (for professions experiencing a shortage of qualified individuals) and schemes for trainees.
All schemes are subject to specific requirements under Danish law.
3.4 If permission to work or stay is needed from 1 January 2021, how long does the procedure take?
The application procedure for the Pay Limit scheme takes approximately one month if all requested documentation is provided when filing the application.
Both the employer and the candidate must fill out a part of the application form and the candidate must have his or her biometric features registered at a Danish embassy.
3.5 If permission to work and stay is needed from 1 January 2021, what Government fees are payable?
Currently, the fee for applying for a permit under the Pay Limit Scheme is DKK 3,215 (approximately EUR 430).
4. FRONTIER WORKERS
4.1 What formalities apply to UK frontier workers working in Denmark but living in another country from 1 January 2021?
Beneficiaries under the WA will retain their current entitlement to work in Denmark provided that they apply for a new residence status during 2021 (see 1 above).
UK nationals not covered by the WA can apply for a work permit as a frontier worker or cross-border worker in accordance with the provisions applicable to third-country nationals under Danish law such as the conditions under, inter alia, the Pay Limit Scheme or other applicable schemes.
5. PERMANENT RESIDENCE
5.1 From what date are third-country nationals entitled to apply for permanent residence?
As a starting point, third-country nationals must have stayed in Denmark for eight years. However, a four-year limit applies under certain circumstances.
Permanent residence in Denmark is subject to a number of conditions. For example, the applicant must work and not have received public benefits and pass a Danish language test, among others.
6. SECURING RESIDENCE AND WORK STATUS
6.1 What steps could UK nationals take currently to secure their residence and work status?
UK nationals currently staying in Denmark must apply for a new residence status during 2021 in order to retain their residence entitlement under the Withdrawal Agreement.
UK nationals could apply for permanent residence under EU rules before Brexit provided that the conditions are met.
UK nationals could consider applying for Danish citizenship if the conditions are met. The Danish immigration authorities have announced, however, that a fast-track scheme or similar will not be established for UK nationals applying for Danish citizenship. Currently, the turnaround time is 20 months.
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